NOT enough is being done to meet car parking needs in the borough according to a report presented last week.

At a Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet meeting on November 17, councillors were informed that its Scrutiny Management Board feels that “car parking needs in the borough are not being sufficiently addressed or addressed soon enough”.

In a document presented to the cabinet by Coun Jewel Miah, the board stated it felt not enough was being done with regards to: consideration of a new car park in Loughborough, a pilot project for low cost parking for people working in the town centre, car parking needed in Shepshed and other settlements and where matters fall within Leicestershire County Council’s remit, ensuring that the borough’s needs in relation to car parking are made known.

In a report given to the cabinet, officers provided a response to the board’s concerns.

With regards to a new car park, officers stated the matter “is being developed” but “cabinet members do not consider that the council should use its own resources to purchase land or to directly commission the construction of a new car park as a council owned asset”.

The report continued: “However, work will be undertaken to encourage private investment and development”. The issue of purchasing land also applied to parking in Shepshed and other settlements.

Officers responded to concerns over the pilot project ,stating there is no capacity in existing car parks and workers did not wish to park at Brown’s Lane Car Park which was the suggested location for the pilot but there may be private car parks that could explore the concept.

The cabinet was also informed that specific local issues within the LCC remit should be raised at the Highways Forum for Charnwood.

The cabinet agreed to note the recommendations from the Scrutiny Management Board, and officer comments and advice were endorsed.